Discussion

Bagels and steaks in London

I've lived here for 8 years now and have still failed to find (1) anywhere in central/West London that does really good bagels (no, I'm not going to travel to Golders Green or Hendon and yes, I do know about the Brick Lane Bakery), and (2) a really, really South African/NYC-class steak joint. I'd be very grateful for recommendations on either front. In particular, has anyone tried the Popeseye in Fulham?Thanks!

Londoner27PS: Any views on the new Cafe Anglais in Bayswater?PPS: Any recs for Baltic/Scandi food now that Lundums is gone?

I've lived here 4 years and have never found a good bagel. I'm too far for travelling to Golders Green on a regular basis. I now make my own bagels with my trusty bread machine. My kids were amazed how good they are. If I was younger, I'd open a shop!

popeseye is in brooks green, no? in any case, its a good - sometimes v. good - neighborhood steak place that serves steak, salad and fries with a moderately priced wine list. go early - the results are always better when the cook isn't harried.

the best steak i've had in london has been at the cheyne walk brasserie - its cote de boeuf comes from belgium and is superb.

in general, steak in the uk is very different tasting from that in the us - you can pretty much taste the grass the animal was fed on. the meat here isn't as marbled but i've grown to appreciate it a lot.

for argentine meat, try el gaucho (put pls not the gaucho grill) just by south ken tube.

I'm in the south-west (Baron's Court/Fulham) so places in the NW like Golders Green are a fair old trek for brunch on a Sunday morning...or maybe I'm just lazy!Thanks for the tips about Scandi Kitchen and Fika - the latter looks very interesting. To continue the Scandi theme, a friend has just sent me an email alerting me to the Nordic Bakery (W1F 9JG, near Picc Circus) and saying that the cinnamon buns are amazing...

I was less taken with their Korvapuusti than your friend seems to be. They were too dense for my liking.

The karelian pies were very good, however. Particularly with a rich egg butter on top of them

I had an excellent meal at Upper Glas on Upper St when it opened back at the tail end of 2006. Since I have been out of the country for most of the last 12 months, I can't say how good it is now, but it may well be worth a try for a Swedish fix

I've also never come across a place that does salt bagels (my favourite). I'm always surprised that there's not at least one place in London that offers a variety of bagels like a NY bagel shop. I'm sure there would enough demand for it to do well.

I know you say you're not going to go to Golders Green, but I'm going to tell you what this gal from the Rockaways/Long Island did anyway...I did a taste test in GG one afternoon...I bought bagels from three of the main places, plus the BLBB. Carmelli's was the winner for me out of the four. BLBB was a close 2nd. Golders Green is only one stop past Hampstead...

Regardless...none of them had salt bagels. I'm really dying for a salt bagel. And while Carmelli's was pretty good, it just wasn't the same as the ones I'd get back on the Island.

I did not get to Daniels in GG which is supposed to be good. Also, I think there's another one around Swiss Cottage...that may be more geographically apt for you? If I can remember the name, I'll repost.